Globalization and its Impact on the Environmental Health Profession (50m Lecture)

In this era of growing global economy, with more societies and cultures being linked through technology and business interests, environmentalism as it has been known in the U.S. is unequipped to address these global challenges. While international business and commerce grow at unparallel rates, environmental controls that have regulated industrial emissions and constrained development in this country have limited force in developing ones. Toxic levels of pollution once common in the U.S. now have found a home in China, India and other developing nations. Standards for air and water emissions designed to regulate U.S. facilities are being questioned as they become applied to foreign industries exporting their wares to this country.

The vehicles that govern this explosion of commerce between nations are the bi-lateral and multi-lateral trade agreements the set the rules and standards of trade. Any U.S. business or industry seeking to sell their product in another country needs basic assurances that their product will be delivered and payment made. And the rules that govern commerce are being asked to govern environmental concerns. Unlike in this country, where Congress dictated laws to protect the environment, the international organizations that draft and enforce these trading provisions rely on their member nations for their authority, leading to an inevitable showdown between the interests of commerce vs. the interests of the environment. These member nations require these organizations to address the environment, but their primary purpose remains to encourage trade.